Inflammation & Aging Connection
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The correlation between inflammation & aging has been recognized!
Todays research has shown a link between inflammation & the most chronic diseases:
Arthritis
multiple sclerosis
atherosclerosis
diabetes
Alzheimer's
osteoporosis
asthma
cirrhosis of the liver
bowel disorders
meningitis
cystic fibrosis
cancer
stroke
psoriasis
and aging...
Inflammation connection on a cellular level is connected on how a wrinkle happens.
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Food of the week! Cantaloupe
Cantaloupes: Health Benefits & Nutrition Facts
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Nutrition facts
Here are the nutrition facts for one cup of cantaloupe, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:
Cantaloupe Serving size: 1 cup, cubed (160 g) Calories 54 (Calories from Fat 3) *Percent Daily Values (%DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Nutrition Facts Cantaloupe Serving size: 1 cup, cubed (160 g) Calories 54 Calories from Fat 3 *Percent Daily Values (%DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Amt per Serving%DV*
Amt per Serving%DV*
Total Fat 0%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Dietary Fiber 16%
Sodium 26mg 1%
Sugars 13g
Protein 1g
Vitamin A 108%
Calcium1%
Vitamin C 98%
Iron2%
About melons
It is thought that the fruit was named "cantaloupe" for Cantalupo, an Italian town near Vatican City, where melon seeds brought from Armenia were planted in the papal gardens during the Renaissance, according to World's Healthiest Foods.
Cantaloupes are in the Cucurbitaceae, or gourd family, which includes other plants that grow on a vine, such as watermelon, honeydew and casaba melons, as well as pumpkins, squash and cucumbers.
According to the University of Illinois Extension, the cantaloupe is a variety of muskmelon. North American cantaloupes (Cucumis melo reticulatus) are known for their uniform "netting" over the rind; European cantaloupes (Cucumis melo cantalupensis) have greener skin, little netting, deep grooves and would surprise most Americans by being called cantaloupes.
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Picking a ripe one
Selecting a fresh cantaloupe can be tricky because you can't see the inside the melon. But according to Mangieri, freshness is critical to the fruit's sweet flavor. Pick up a cantaloupe and if it feels heavier than you expected, it's likely ripe. A ripe melon should smell sweet when you place your nose next to the fruit, and you should be able to push in the skin a little bit with your thumb.
If the melon is not quite ripe when you buy it, you can set it on a kitchen counter for a few days. But don't wash the fruit at this point — wait until you're ready to cut the melon to wash its outer surface to reduce the chance for bacterial growth.
"While a cantaloupe will become softer and juicer with time, the fruit's sugar content [and sweetness] will not significantly increase after it is harvested," Mangieri told Live Science.
Health benefits
Cantaloupe is not a well-studied fruit on its own. Most of the research on the health benefits of the melon has focused on a person's total dietary intake of fruits and vegetables in general, or studies have looked at diets rich in specific nutrients or plant compounds found in these fruits, such as carotenoids, potassium or vitamin C. This makes it hard to draw firm conclusions about the unique health benefits of cantaloupe.
Antioxidant power
Cantaloupe is a rich food source of vitamins A and C.
"Vitamins A and C are both antioxidants that work to keep your body healthy," Mangieri said. Antioxidants can have protective effects by neutralizing free radicals, which can damage DNA in cells and promote chronic inflammation in the body.
Free radicals cause cell damage and disruption that can contribute to diseases. "[Antioxidants such as vitamins A and C] may help prevent conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and arthritis," Mangieri added.
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Heart health
There is strong evidence that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is linked with a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, and can also lower blood pressure, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Eye health
Including more fruits and vegetables in your diet can keep your eyes healthy and may help fend off cataracts and macular degeneration, two common age-related eye problems, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
The vitamin A found in cantaloupe is a key nutrient for good vision, Mangieri said.
Digestion
The fiber and water in cantaloupe can aid digestion and help prevent constipation, when included as part of a high-fiber diet, such as a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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